Association to develop training program

People without technology experience will get access to training under a new federally funded program aimed at filling more than 425,000 vacant technology positions across the United States.

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded the Computing Technology Industry Association, or CompTIA, a $550,000 grant to develop the program. The Lombard-based trade organization is looking for businesses interested in joining a committee of technology professionals to determine the program's structure and to run a test involving employees at five companies around the country, said John Engman, director of CompTIA's workforce development arm.

Engman said the Labor Department hopes all 50 states will approve the program's requirements by December 2002, making businesses that want to use it eligible for federal funding for technology training. The program would include a mix of on-the-job and classroom instruction and provide entry-level technical certifications to those who complete it, he said.

The program also would enhance the association's mission to develop and promote computing standards.

"We want people to understand that this is a global industry and not just something that's happening in Illinois, Silicon Valley or even just in the U.S.," Engman said. "Companies are sourcing projects to people all over the world, and they need to have standards that are driven by the industry. When someone says they have a certification in database management, everyone needs to know what that means."

CompTIA represents more than 10,000 companies and technology professionals in 50 countries. The association administers more than 375,000 tests each year and has awarded certifications to more than 350,000 people.

In April, Intel Corp., the world's largest maker of computer chips, announced that it would drop its own certification program in favor of CompTIA's.